With tour dates ahead of them and other miscellaneous events in the near future, Calexico are on the way to release their ninth album 'Edge Of The Sun', out on Berlin's City Slang in April this year and featuring various collaborators.

Calexico release 'Edge Of The Sun' in April

Calexico are set to unveil 'Edge Of The Sun', which follows up their 2013 live release 'Spiritoso' and the previous studio album 'Algiers' from 2012. In true Calexico spirit, as they are well-known for their ever changing line-up and huge touring band ensemble, 'Edge Of The Sun' features a huge variety of special guests, beginning with Iron & Wine's Sam Beam - having previously worked on their 2008 album 'Carried to Dust' - who features on the track 'Bullets and Rocks'.

'When putting vocals on that song, it immediately reminded me of the Iron & Wine feel', admits band member Joey Burns. 'So I texted Sam, who wrote back quickly and got it going.' Further guest additions included Band Of Horses frontman Ben Bridwell, DeVotchKa singer Nick Urata, Neko Case and members of Takim, as well as Joey's songwriter brother John Burns.

Much of the inspiration for the album came from the band's trip to Mexico City, which Burns admits helped mould the album into what it is. 'Going to another city to jump-start the creative process helped us to know what this record is about and where we are as a band, like an open canvas with few ties to normal routines when recording and writing', he explains.

'The 'Wdge Of The Sun' could be coming from the direction of darkness seeking light, or riding the line between both', he continues. 'All in all, this album is about pushing through the blue to brighter days. Calexico has always had that element of hope, going back and forth between a positive outlook and embracing desperate or dark themes that I think we all share.'

Calexico will set out on the European tour in April, but before then you can catch them at Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival on February 1st and at Rough Trade East instore the following day.